Family of missing 12-year-old Tia Sharp: We are at wits’ end

The family of 12-year-old Tia Sharp have said they are at their ‘wits’ end’ after she went missing in south-east London before the weekend.

Tia was last seen leaving her grandmother’s home in New Addington at midday on Friday August 3, apparently heading towards Whitgift Centre in Croydon to buy a pair of shoes, but failed to return home afterwards.

Tia Sharp was last seen on Friday afternoon (Picture: PA)

‘Our family is heartbroken,’ her father David Niles told the Croydon Advertiser. ‘We are at our wits’ end.’

Tia is described as having a slim build, is 4ft 5in tall and wears glasses. When she was last seen she was wearing a yellow bandeau top, light grey leopard skin leggings and black and pink Nike high top trainers.

She apparently had a small amount of cash in her possession but was not carrying a travel card or her mobile phone.

‘She has not gone missing before so this is of concern,’ the Metropolitan police said.

‘Officers from the missing persons unit and the local borough are making inquiries to try to track her down, including checking CCTV footage in the area and liaising with other forces.’

Tia’s aunt Jasmine Hart tweeted: ‘It is unlikely that she ran away as it is completely out of character which is why this has become so serious.

‘If you see her or know something, call the police immediately. Please help!’